Save For Half episode # 41: "Dallas: The TV RPG by SPI"

[sieg]

Save For Half episode # 41: "Dallas: The Television Role-Playing Game by SPI"


What else need be said? Schemes, treachery, retconning entire seasons....it's all here in this...erm...RPG (?) game about the hit TV show of the decade, Dallas. Who shot J.R.? Who didn't shoot J.R.? And did anyone check his colon for gems? All these questions and more are answered on this episode of Save for Half!

No Ewings were harmed in the making of this podcast, though it's open season on the Carringtons!

It's all here at: saveforhalf.com/

Links mentioned in this show:

Dallas RPG on RPG Geek
rpggeek.com/rpgitem/52787/dallas-television-role-playing-game

Dallas RPG on Wikipedia
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dallas_(role-playing_game)

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odd74.proboards.com/board/77/save-half-podcast

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[Starbeard]

Hey sweet, you finally did my vote!

Good episode, everyone. The only thing I'd quibble over is that none of you seem to have noticed that this is clearly the best game ever.

But really, in all seriousness and despite its obvious flaws, think about it: the whole setup and structure is closer to a Braunstein style game than probably anything else that had been published up to that point. That's pretty cool.

Also, I couldn't help but notice how every step of the way in your rundown, all three of you kept tossing out really creative ideas on how to add to the game or change up the theme in all sorts of zany ways. Really, how many game systems spark the imagination like that?! If you can get past the theme and roll your sleeves up for a bit of Braunstein & Diplomacy variant style DIY, it's really a little gem of a game. It's a shame they never released a generic version or something with a less goofy theme.

[sieg]

Starbeard, first my apologies for taking so long to reply! You do have a point, though I think that was part of our quibble as it were. Namely that for a game designed to get non-gamers (Dallas fans) into gaming it needed some chrome to appeal to them. Its not really there! Heck, for individual characters even the Rocky & Bullwinkle game did better in that regard.

You are quite correct though that the *system* isn't bad, and would work great for a modified Diplomacy varienbt or some Fantasy/SciFi version. Heck, maybe add a bit of chrome in there for each player to make them unique a la Cosmic Encounter. Then IMO you'd have a hell of a game!

So, to sum up I'll give you a qualified agreement.

Mike